girls' name · peaked 1970

Raquel

Borrowed from Spanish Raquel, from Biblical Hebrew רָחֵל (rāḥēl).

Every Raquel since 1900 — 50,978 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.250.50.75118801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Rank 2025
#1,123
among girls
Babies in 2025
209
named Raquel
Peak year
1970
1,478 babies
All-time total
50,978
since 1900

The story of Raquel

Raquel is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #1,123 in 2025 with 209 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1900, 50,978 American babies have been named Raquel. Its peak came in 1970, when 1,478 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Raquel stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Raquel year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 209 #1,123
2024 232 #1,074
2023 295 #906
2022 261 #1,006
2021 296 #909
2020 277 #932
2019 309 #868
2018 288 #931
2017 308 #885
2016 336 #846
2015 377 #751
2014 404 #698
2013 409 #692
2012 456 #627
2011 449 #634
2010 486 #606
2009 465 #640
2008 538 #573
2007 651 #498
2006 604 #506
2005 648 #475
2004 688 #444 5 #12,791
2003 770 #396
2002 756 #389
2001 852 #351
2000 900 #342
1995 1,074 #257 9 #6,298
1990 1,189 #239 16 #3,737
1985 1,082 #239 14 #3,348
1980 835 #301 6 #6,062
1975 920 #262 5 #6,114
1970 1,470 #215 8 #3,755
1965 246 #623
1960 195 #726
1955 160 #749
1950 110 #840
1945 67 #937
1940 85 #760
1935 73 #796
1930 120 #633 5 #4,439
1925 34 #1,404
1920 20 #2,001
1915 18 #1,872
1910 8 #1,904
1905 7 #1,661
1900 6 #1,887
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Raquel

  1. Raquel Welch Actor · b. 1940
  2. Raquel Rastenni Singer · 1915–1998
  3. Raquel del Rosario Singer · b. 1982
  4. Raquel Cassidy Actor · b. 1968
  5. Raquel Zimmermann Model · b. 1983

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Raquel mean?

Borrowed from Spanish Raquel, from Biblical Hebrew רָחֵל (rāḥēl).

How popular is the name Raquel in 2025?

Raquel ranked #1,123 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 209 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Raquel?

50,978 babies have been named Raquel in the United States since 1900, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Raquel most popular?

Raquel peaked in 1970, when 1,478 newborns received the name.

Is Raquel a boy or girl name?

Raquel is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 99% of babies with the name.

Is the name Raquel rising or falling?

Raquel is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Raquel?

Well-known people named Raquel include Raquel Welch (actor), Raquel Rastenni (singer), Raquel del Rosario (singer).

Names like Raquel

Compare Raquel with similar names →